Be ‘fair’ over Huawei, China urges Coalition

Following the Coalition’s announcement that a ban on Huawei’s involvement in the national broadband network will remain in place, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying has urged Australia to provide a “fair” environment for foreign and domestic companies to operate.
Photo: AFP

China has hit back at the Abbott government’s plan to maintain a ban on telecommunications company Huawei helping build the national broadband network, saying national security should not be used as an excuse to disrupt normal trade and commercial ties.

“China has always opposed pleading national security as an excuse for disturbing normal economic and trade cooperation between two countries," Hua said.

“We hope that both countries can work together to create favorable conditions and a fair environment for enterprises from both sides."

The statement from China’s Foreign Ministry comes after a week when the new Australian government twice hinted that the ban on Huawei tendering for work on the National Broadband Network might be lifted.

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Since the ban was imposed in March 2012, Huawei has significantly increased its lobbying efforts in Australia, sought to increase its profile through local sponsorships and has taken journalists on trips to China.

Its local board boasts former Coalition Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and former Victorian Labor Premier John Brumby.

During his visit to China last week, Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb was effusive in his praise of Huawei and said he strongly supported reviewing the ban.

In August, the Coalition pledged to review a ban on Huawei tendering for work on the NBN.

“Even if you accept the premise that Huawei would be an accessory to espionage – I’m not saying they will be, I’m just saying that’s the premise – if you accept that, you then have to ask yourself, does the equipment that they would propose to sell have that capacity?," Mr Turnbull said.